Animals VS Mirrors: Friends Or Foes?

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Most animals see another animal in the mirror. Very few animals recognize themselves. Apes do, monkeys don't. More recently it has been shown that dolphins and elephants recognize themselves, the latter in studies by our group with Josh Plotnik. As for birds, only magpies (large-brained corvids) have been shown to recognize themselves if tested (the same way as done with apes and children) by placing a mark on a part of their body they cannot see w/o a mirror. The magpies figure it out - perhaps this explains their attraction to shiny objects. Anyway it is always funny to watch animals and mirrors, but this video is extra funny. There can be no better or worse sight than your own reflection, but these vain animals seemed very keen to admire themselves!